Trump Education Department probes school after teacher allegedly required same-sex students to kiss

The Trump administration has opened a federal investigation into Denver Public Schools in response to allegations a high school teacher required students of the same sex to kiss as part of a classroom assignment, the Department of Education announced Tuesday.

"Schools have an obligation to prevent and address sexual assault," Kimberly Richey, assistant secretary for civil rights, said in a statement. "Yet in Colorado, school personnel are alleged to have compelled the sexual assault of minor students by forcing them to engage in blatantly sexualized conduct in class.

"It is abhorrent and the Trump administration will fully investigate this perverse incident to protect students’ safety and vigorously uphold students’ rights across America."

The Education Department said it is investigating whether Denver Public Schools violated the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), a federal law that gives parents the right to opt their children out of certain surveys, evaluations and instructional activities involving sensitive topics, including sexual behavior and attitudes.

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The Department said it is "investigating incidents that took place at a Denver Public Schools high school involving a teacher who allegedly required students of the same sex to kiss each other in front of the classroom as part of a class assignment."

The Denver Public Schools board voted 7-0 May 20, CBS News reported, to consider the firing of French language and culture teacher Jennifer Honka at Northeast Early College for "incompetence and neglect of duty," finding she had at times allegedly suggested that students kiss during in-class skits.

An April 30 independent review, a copy of which was obtained by CBS Colorado, found that the students who were allegedly encouraged to kiss were always the same sex.

"One student told an NEC chemistry teacher about the skits in April 2024," CBS News reported.

"The student was very uncomfortable and did not know what to do," the report said. "She went ahead and kissed another student at (Honka)'s direction. The student then shared a digital meme with (the chemistry teacher) that included a picture of (Honka) and the caption 'she makes girls kiss.' The meme had circulated among the students."

CBS News also reported that "one student interviewed directly in the independent review also testified that Honka always selected girls to act in the skits. Despite a nearly 50-50 split between boys and girls in the class, the student ‘could not recall Honka choosing a boy actor.’ This student refused to participate and testified that she received a zero score for a grade on this assignment."

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"Parents are entitled by law to be notified if their children will be surveyed or evaluated on sensitive information about sex behaviors or attitudes," the announcement from the Department of Education said. "SPPO will investigate whether parents were notified about this student evaluation and whether parent or student opt-outs or complaints were ignored. Additionally, OCR will investigate whether the district appropriately responded to the incident, consistent with the requirements of Title IX."

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for Denver Public Schools said, "Denver Public Schools is reviewing the notice of directed investigation from OCR. It would be too early to comment on their assertions.

"The safety, emotional well-being and dignity of our students are the absolute highest priorities of DPS," the spokesperson continued. "Our actions to date have been wholly consistent with those priorities. Immediately after learning of student concerns with this teacher in March 2025, the district placed the teacher on administrative leave and completed a thorough investigation.

"Based on the results of that investigation and an independent review by a state administrative law judge, the DPS Board of Education voted unanimously to terminate the employment of the teacher in May 2026.

"We deeply appreciate the bravery of the students who came forward and the staff who acted immediately as mandatory reporters," the spokesperson added. "We remain fully committed to holding personnel to the highest standards of conduct and ensuring a safe, supportive learning environment for all students."

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The department announced a separate investigation into Washington state's Bethel School District over an LGBTQ Pride Month display that included vials labeled as testosterone.

In June, the school district said administrators discovered testosterone vials "that still contained a small amount of unknown liquid" included in a Pride Month display at Graham-Kapowsin High School and removed them after concluding the items had not been approved by school leadership.

They were subsequently removed.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for the Bethel School District said, "We are aware of the U.S. Department of Education investigation and will be cooperating in any way we can. In early June, district officials were made aware of a display at Graham-Kapowsin High School that included empty vials of testosterone as one of its visuals. The display also contained some vials that still contained a small amount of unknown liquid.

"The inclusion of the vials was entirely unauthorized and did not receive approval from school leadership or administration," the spokesperson continued. "Administrators immediately removed the vials and identified the individuals responsible for adding them without leadership approval. The vials were then turned over to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office.

"We are also actively reviewing our display oversight protocols to ensure all school materials strictly align with our educational standards and community expectations," the spokesperson added. "Our primary focus remains on maintaining a safe, respectful and focused learning environment for all of our students."